Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-09
The auha Daily Eagle: griday orng 1eeember g. 1887.

| hand, and set to work diligently to water.
Suddenly she turned it in the captains diTec-
ton, and soused him through and through.
Then, with silvery laugh, quickly checked,
she made Der apologies
"Dear me. Capt Berkeley" she said with
much apparent concern, 1Pm afraid ! have
sprinkled you little"
"Sprinlled" himi He was wet through
but be vowed it was nothing" and that be
"bked it," and she thanked him so sweetly
! for the bouquet that be Yves quite happy,
only his happiness was short lived, for she
| had pressing engagement and FASTENED in
doors at once. He sauntered to the inn and
changed bis clothes, then started for u walk,
| thinking of her
A dogcart was dashing along the road,
and suddenly CHEEKY voice aroused him.
Halo, Berkeley Where on earth have
you sprung FRONT Who would ever have ex-
pected you to turn up in this quiet cornerg'
and the speaker handed the reirS to bis cock
AIDED groom and jumped down to greet his
friend and old brother officer, shaking him
warmly by the hand
u may very well return the compliment,
la Coste," laughed Bertram Berkeley. Il
have never once seen you since you left Us at
Glib, two years ago; fancy my meeting you
in this quiet place, when no quarters used to
be gay enough for you"
"Ah I've sown all my wild oats, old fel
low, and married, and settled down into the
bargain: and what's more, l don't regret it. "
"'Tanr mieux pour vousr fear there are
| not many such prizes in the matrimonial
market"
Cant say. Inever had bad opinion of
the sex. as you are aware. and my wife has
raised my estimate Of womankind."
Lucky mani"
u echo your sentiment / suppose you're
still adamantl No Que has made an impress
sion, ehp'
Capt Berkeley positively flushed under the
bronze, and thougbtfully pulled bis mus
tache.
"By Jove. you're in for it," laughed Maj.
La Coste. "WeIl, come and dine with US to-
night, and will introduce you to my wife,
and you can tell me all about it over our
cigar after dinner"
What, you are living here thens"
"Yesf We have pretty little box. Where
are you stayings I'll stroll down and take
you back in triumph; it will be quite treat
to hear all the news of the old regiment"
"I'u come with pleasure; I'm putting up at
the little inn. What time do you dimes"
Seven. and I'll fetch you at quarter to-"
and With friendly nod tho major jumped up
once more into his dogcart.
Can ! take you anywhere, Berkeley"
No thanks, I'll continue my walk; !" and so
the friends parted.
Maj La Coste arrived with military
panrtuality, and there was a strange smile
upon his handsome face and lurking in the
depths of his fine gray eyes,
Are you readya" he asked. ave must not
keep dinner waiting--your cook is the last
person in the world whom you should offend"
They chatted briskly as they walked up the
lane.
Here we are" said La Coste, throwing
open his gate; pretty little place. is it notl
But perhaps you may have seen it before, in
your ramblesr
you don't live herel" stammered his visi
tor; al thought didn't thing
"Of course you didn't, old fellow; come in
and soc my wife"
Without one word Bertram Berkeley fol.
lowed him.
Mechanically be hung up his hat in the
hall mechanically he went With him into the
room. of which he Bung open the door. with
strange feeling IS of a sleep walker about
him IL seemed 70 him lie was having some
unpleasant dream, and that be was spell
bound by it; that be could hear and see and
feel, but that all power over himself was
denied him.
Geraldine. here Is my friend. Capt
Berkeley Berkeley, allow me to introduce
you to my wife"
The eyes OF Maj and Mrs La Costa
danced with merriment.
81 think Capt Berkeley and have met
before" said the lady IN musical voice, and
the music and words of Kathleen Aroon"
sounded afresh tn tn. listeners ears
why should 'se parted hos"
sWby. indeed"
Lawrence. dear, Capt. Berkeley was SO
very kind; he saved my poor little Tiny from
beng hurt by such horrid savage dog; I
am sure. like myself, you are infinitely obliged
20 him Dinoeri thanks, Tbs passages are
too narrow for taking arms, we just follow
the leader shall 60 Grst, and show tho wayi
See what a lovely center piece your exquisite
flowers makei" and she waved her delicate
white hand toward tbs bouquet he had left
for her, which was 10 the middle Of the well
appointed table. which was laden With beau.
tilu Blossoms
Lawrence. was il not kind of Capt
Berkeley TO send me such lovely exotlcs; and
al! in exchange for cluster Of common roses;
don't You think had the best Of the bargain"
Undoubtedly, !" be laughed. and again their
eyes met
81 do hops did not splash you much with
that horrid bose this afternoon but how was
to know any one was sitting upon the wall'
You the lane is private road, and no one
ever passes this way SO couldn't expect you.
could lT ard she looked al him auizzically.
4Frivate,n he faltered, II beg your pardonl
didn't know"
"Of course not, but you would have been
rery welcome, as LawTences friend. had |
been aware OF it, I'm sure; and l must make
Tiny respect his protector. Lawrence has
been whole week away in London, and left
me here alone, Did he tell yousn
no" answered the captain. II don't
think he did.'
He did no justice to the recherche littls
dinner, all he wanted to do was to escape.
lie knew that be mad made fool of himself,
and was well aware that Mrs. La Coste knew
IL too; ard more, that she had told her bus
band all about it.
We'll now for your confession, Berkeley
said the major, as he lighted his cigar by that
Of bis friend, and talked between the whiffs.
"W hat is she likes Dark or fair, merry or
pensivei Beautiful, of course, or she never
would have attracted you"
There is no she in the case" asserted the
other, almost roughly, "and never will be
thought YOU wanted TO bear all about the old
set, there have been a lot of changes, even in
this short time"
"And SO do; drive on, Berkeley. I'm set
tied as good listener" and be ensconced
himself in an indian lounging chair, looking
thoroughly at home.
bIl. the cantain naver h..for, ,r.s so v.1,,a